Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Vessels Useful to the Master

I must first thank each and every one of you for your precious visit here with my first post,

my, you blessed my heart greatly!

I got to see and experience for myself
what each of you describe here in the blogging community - love.

Isn't it just beautiful that we can meet genuine women who love the Lord

out there through the computer all around the world.

What a HUGE God we have!

Just to let you know, I plan to post every Wednesday for now.

I may begin posting a little more often later, but for now, just Wednesdays.

Vessels Useful to the Master

﻿Wouldn't it be beautiful if we graced our homes as the "earthen vessels"
that God has designed us to be?

It is attainable you know.

If we read and apply the Word of God to our lives, God's grace is sufficient
and He will transform us into His likeness.

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."( Ephesians 2:8-10)

We need to be empty, clean and available vessels for God's service.

By His grace He will take us and fill us to use for his glory.

We will then be useful for the Master.

What a tremendous honor!

"If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor,

sanctified, and meet for the master's use,

and prepared unto every good work."

(2 Timothy 2:21)

When we, as God's glorious vessels, are filled with sin or defiled by disobedience,

He will first have to "purge" us. OUCH!

That is not always the most enjoyable experience,

but needed by the Master's loving hand to be all that He desires us to be.

By His grace, He must "prepare us unto every good work."

Purging: to cleanse - to purify by separating - carrying off impurities.

You see, it's needed in order to be fit for the Master's use.

But oh... God is gracious and gentle as He does the preparing and the transforming.

" Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness,

faith, charity, peace,

with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart."

God's Word tells us to FLEE youthful lusts. RUN!!

Then He tells us to FOLLOW after righteousness, faith, charity and peace,

with them that call on the Lord with a pure heart.

His instructions are very clear, and they are attainable by His grace poured upon us.

Why would we not want all those beauties in our lives?

I have some jars in my collection that will NOT come clean

no matter what I use as a cleanser

or how hard I clean them.

They refuse to be "purged !"

Do you ever find yourself like that?

Fighting God all the way and yet, in His love towards us, He is ever so gentle.

"With purpose of heart" (Acts 11:23)

" Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God,

was glad and exorted them all,

that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord."

Oh that we as God's vessels would cleave unto the Lord and live for Him on purpose.
That we would be still and sit at the feet of Jesus,
allowing Him to transform our lives into the vessels He wants us to be.

Let us purpose in our heart to follow after righteousness, faith, charity and peace,
so that we can grace our homes in the beauty of God.

Our precious Heavenly Father,

grant us the grace as Your earthen vessels,

to be empty, to be clean, fit and available

to serve you in our homes where You have placed us.

Grace us with Your beauty, so that through our lives You may be glorified.

Debbie, what a lovely collection of vessels...oh, that beautiful blue one really stands out! It is my greatest desire and honor to always be a vessel worthy to contain His goodness! Thank you for this wonderful reminder!

Oh Debbie ~ Beautiful and meaningful devotion. The verse from II Tim.2:21 is so perfect for your illustrations of your clean vessels. So many time we hear that God can use earthen pots, even broken ones...and that's true..but Oh I love the emphases on purging our hearts and lives so we can be pure clean see through glass.

Dearest Friend, I have thought that there are just going to be vessels that will stay stained. I believe in Election yet we never know who is chosen, so we pray and continue to be an example. I have had to learn a few lessons more than once. I did enjoy the bright blue bottle as a contrast to we are all very different and unique.Blessings to you and I really enjoyed this....Roxy

I have very much enjoyed your beautiful, prayerful post today, Debbie. Your pretty bottles are the perfect analogy to your dear words. Very inspiring and so true - if we strive to empty our vessels of all that does not serve the Lord, we shall walk in peace and beauty. Thank you for sharing today and blessings to you. A hug xo Karen

Beautiful post. "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you and lead me along the path of everlasting life." --Psalm 149:23-24 NLT

Oh what an uplifting blessing your words here are to me! As well as the beautiful verses you shared. This was truly an encouragement to me.

This really struck a chord in me and was worded so perfectly... "I have some jars in my collection that will NOT come cleanno matter what I use as a cleanseror how hard I clean them.They refuse to be "purged !"Do you ever find yourself like that? Fighting God all the way and yet, in His love towards us, He is ever so gentle."

Thank you for this post. And you have such a lovely jar collection by the way!

Hi Debbie, Thank you for a beautiful post. So happy you are blogging now. Your photos are perfect for these verses.Wishing you a day with many blessings. Mildred(I'm on a blog break while we prepare to move)

Hi Debbie,I am glad to meet you. You have a lovely blog, and I am sure you are going to love blog land. I have two daughters and a daughter in law who got me started blogging several years ago, and I have grown a lot love doing it. I enjoyed your post very much. The title of my blog has to do with Vessels, and I felt a connection to your post.Many Blessings,Pam

Debbie, how I appreciate your thought-provoking post. You're so right...we need to purge all that does not belong to God. It seems too hard but in light of what we gain so important in our daily Christian walk.

I like your example of the jars as empty vessels ready to be used by God.

Hi Debbie, what a beautiful post and I love the way you used the jars in your photos.You are such a dear heart and God has blessed you with the ability to touch others.Blessings to you.Hugs for a great weekend.XO

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Hi, I'm Debbie! My heart is blessed to have you here!

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And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. -Colossians 3:15-17

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The credit for my blog design goes to my daughter, Stephanie, who blogs over at The Enchanting Rose. Click on her picture to visit her lovely place.